Dream is over for the dare to dreamers
By Alex Keery in FRANCE
Northern Ireland bowed out of Euro 16 after a brave fight against Wales.
Gareth McAuley’s unfortunate own goal late in the game meant the Welsh progress to the quarter finals where they’ll meet a revitalised Belgium who hammered Hungary 4-0.
It was a cruel way to depart from their first-ever tournament on a night when they had been the better side.
One of Northern Ireland’s best players Stuart Dallas, who plays his domestic football at Leeds, said it was difficult to exit the competition.
He told Press Association Sport: “It's hard to take, the emotions were raw.
“The feeling in the dressing room was just disappointment. Obviously we've achieved a lot to get here but we always said we weren't here to make up the numbers.
“I don't think anyone was sitting there thinking about what we've achieved. We were upset to lose the game.”
But he said he hoped the performances would leave a lasting legacy for a new generation.
“Hopefully if I can inspire young lads from back home to believe in themselves and if I've shown them anything is possible then that's great,'' he said.
“I was that lad once, not so long ago: happy at home, playing with my mates, working a full-time job and I took the risk of coming over to England.
“There's a lot of hard work goes into what has happened since but that was the best decision of my life.
“There's a lot of very good young players at home and hopefully they can get the break that some of them need.''
The Republic also bowed out after losing 2-1 to France.
Robbie Brady got them off to the perfect start when he converted a second-minute penalty.
But a second-half double from Antoine Griezmann broke Irish hearts.
Meanwhile, England will bid to reach the quarter-finals tonight when they face Iceland in Nice.
The winners face France.
Picture (PA) shows Gareth McAuley